Algal oil compositions

ABSTRACT

Provided herein are exemplary total algal oil compositions comprising by total weight between approximately 0% and 99% EPA, and one or more of the following: between approximately 0% and 99% POA, less than approximately 20% saturated fats (including 0% saturated fats or substantially saturated fat free), between approximately 0% and 99% ARA, and/or between approximately 0% and 99% DHA. According to further exemplary total algal oil compositions, the saturated fats may comprise PA. Also provided herein are exemplary total algal oil compositions comprising by total weight at least 20% EPA and one or more of the following: at least 17% POA, approximately 0% to 20% saturated fats, less than approximately 10% ARA, and/or substantially no DHA. Additional exemplary total algal oil compositions may comprise by total weight at least approximately 30% EPA and one or more of the following: at least approximately 27% POA, approximately 0% to 20% saturated fats, less than approximately 10% ARA, and/or substantially no DHA.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/800,114 filed on Mar. 15, 2013 and titled “(EPA) Algal Biomass and Oil Compositions and Impact on Health,” which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The present application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/800,029 filed on Mar. 15, 2013 and titled “Microalga Species and Industrial Applications,” which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The present application is related to U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. ______ filed on ______ concurrently with the present application and titled “Algal Omega 7 Compositions,” which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The present application is related to U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. ______ filed on ______ concurrently with the present application and titled “Conversion of Free Fatty Acids to Ethyl Esters,” which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The present application is related to U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. ______ filed on ______ concurrently with the present application and titled “Algal Omega 7 and Algal Omega 3 Blend Compositions,” which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The present application is related to U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. ______ filed on ______ concurrently with the present application and titled “Compositions and Methods for Utilization of Algal Compounds,” which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

This invention relates to algal biochemistry, and more specifically, to total algal oil compositions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Provided herein are exemplary total algal oil compositions comprising by total weight between approximately 0% and 99% EPA, and one or more of the following: between approximately 0% and 99% POA, less than approximately 20% saturated fats (including 0% saturated fats or substantially saturated fat free), between approximately 0% and 99% ARA, and/or between approximately 0% and 99% DHA. According to further exemplary total algal oil compositions, the saturated fats may comprise PA.

Also provided herein are exemplary total algal oil compositions comprising by total weight at least 20% EPA and one or more of the following: at least 17% POA, at least 13% PA, less than approximately 10% ARA, and/or substantially no DHA.

Additional exemplary total algal oil compositions may comprise by total weight at least approximately 30% EPA and one or more of the following: at least approximately 27% POA, at least approximately 23% PA, less than approximately 10% ARA, and/or substantially no DHA.

The exemplary total algal oil compositions provided herein may be processed from a whole algal biomass composition comprising at least approximately 10% lipids, at least approximately 15% carbohydrates, at least approximately 25% protein, at least approximately 3% moisture and at least approximately 5% ash. According to some exemplary algal biomass compositions, the algal biomass is produced by algal genus Nannochloropsis.

Further exemplary total algal oil compositions may be in a form of an ethyl ester (EE), a mono, di- or triacylglycerol (MAG, DAG, TAG), a phospholipid (PL), a galactolipid (GL), free fatty acid (FFA), or a sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerol (SQDG).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a table of actual data for an exemplary whole biomass (“WB”) (in a form of a fatty acid methyl ester (FAME)), an exemplary crude biomass (“Crude”) (in a form of a FAME), and an exemplary total algal oil composition (“TAO”) (in ethyl ester form).

FIG. 2 shows an actual fatty acid (in ethyl ester form) profile for an exemplary total algal oil composition that was produced and analyzed by the present inventors.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A fatty acid is a carboxylic acid with a long aliphatic tail (chain), which is either saturated or unsaturated. Most naturally occurring fatty acids have a chain of an even number of carbon atoms, from 4 to 28. Saturated fatty acids have no double bonds between carbon atoms. Unsaturated fatty acids have one or more double bonds between carbon atoms. When counting from the terminal methyl carbon toward the carbonyl carbon on an unsaturated fatty acid, the first double bond signifies the omega double bond, such as observed in omega 3, omega 6, or omega 7 fatty acids.

Palmitoleic acid (POA) is an omega-7 monounsaturated fatty acid with a 16-carbon chain with one double bond, denoted as C16:1 n7. A beneficial fatty acid, it has been shown to suppress inflammation. Dietary sources of omega-7 are found in animal and plant sources, including sea buckthorn berries, macadamia nuts, cold water fish and dairy fat. These sources, however, are not concentrated and/or purified sources of POA and often contain a mixed fatty acid profile of saturated and polyunsaturated fats.

Palmitic acid (PA) is a saturated fatty acid with a 16-carbon chain and no double bonds, denoted as C16:0. Consumption of saturated fats such as palmitic acid is believed to increase the risk of developing diabetes, obesity, stroke and cardiovascular diseases.

Alpha linolenic acid (ALA) is an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) with an 18-carbon chain and three cis double bonds. The first double bond is located at the third carbon from the methyl end of the fatty acid chain, denoted as C18:3 n3.

Arachidonic acid (ARA) is an omega-6 PUFA with a 20-carbon chain and four cis-double bonds; the first double bond is located at the sixth carbon from the omega end. ARA is also denoted as C20:4 n6. Examples of dietary sources of omega-6 PUFAs include refined vegetable oils, such as corn and soy oil, seeds and nuts and the oils extracted from them. Consumption is therefore sufficient in the average diet.

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is an omega-3 fatty acid PUFA with the following connotation C20:5 n3. It is a carboxylic acid with a 20-carbon chain and five cis double bonds; the first double bond is located at the third carbon from the omega end.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an omega-3 fatty acid PUFA. It is a carboxylic acid with a 22-carbon chain and six cis double bonds; the first double bond is located at the third carbon from the omega end. DHA is also denoted as C22:6 n3.

Provided herein are exemplary total algal oil compositions comprising by total weight between approximately 0% and 99% EPA, and one or more of the following: between approximately 0% and 99% POA, less than approximately 20% saturated fats (including 0% saturated fats or substantially saturated fat free), between approximately 0% and 99% ARA, and/or between approximately 0% and 99% DHA. According to further exemplary total algal oil compositions, the saturated fats may comprise PA.

Also provided herein are exemplary total algal oil compositions comprising by total weight at least 20% EPA and one or more of the following: at least 17% POA, at least 13% PA, less than approximately 10% ARA, and/or substantially no DHA.

Additional exemplary total algal oil compositions may comprise by total weight at least approximately 30% EPA and one or more of the following: at least approximately 27% POA, at least approximately 23% PA, less than approximately 10% ARA, and/or substantially no DHA.

Some or all of the exemplary compositions herein may comprise a range (for example, approximately 0% to 99%) of saturated fats.

The exemplary total algal oil compositions provided herein may be processed from a whole algal biomass composition comprising at least approximately 10% lipids, at least approximately 15% carbohydrates, at least approximately 25% protein, at least approximately 3% moisture and at least approximately 5% ash. According to some exemplary algal biomass compositions, the algal biomass is produced by algal genus Nannochloropsis.

Further exemplary total algal oil compositions may be in a form of an ethyl ester (EE), a mono, di- or triacylglycerol (MAG, DAG, TAG), a phospholipid (PL), a galactolipid (GL), free fatty acid (FFA), or a sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerol (SQDG).

FIG. 1 is a table of actual data for an exemplary whole biomass (“WB”) (in a form of a fatty acid methyl ester), an exemplary crude biomass (“Crude”) (in a form of a fatty acid methyl ester), and an exemplary total algal oil composition (“TAO”) (in ethyl ester form). The data is reflected in milligrams of subject component per total grams of mass.

The exemplary total algal oil compositions provided herein may be processed from a whole algal biomass composition comprising at least approximately 10% lipids, at least approximately 15% carbohydrates, at least approximately 25% protein, at least approximately 3% moisture and at least approximately 5% ash. The processing of the whole algal biomass results in a crude biomass.

For example, crude algal oil may be converted to free fatty acids in an aqueous system. The crude algal oil is typically a mixture of oils, waxes, chlorophyll, and other species that originally supported the functioning of the algae plant. The free fatty acids may be extracted from other algal impurities. The free fatty acids may be mixed with a mineral acid and an alcohol to impart a phase separation of the mixture. An esterification reaction may occur to convert the free fatty acids to the ethyl ester form. The ethyl esters may then be isolated from the mixture.

In various embodiments, various algae species may be the source of the whole algal biomass and crude algal oil from which the free fatty acids may be obtained. Algae are mostly aquatic photosynthetic organisms that range from microscopic flagellate to giant kelp. Algae may be loosely grouped into seven categories: Euglenophyta (euglenoids), Chrysophyta (golden-brown algae), Pyrrophyta (fire algae), Dinoflagellata, Chlorophyta (green algae), Rhodophyta (red algae), Paeophyta (brown algae), and Xanthophyta (yellow-green algae). Lipid extracted from any algae genus may be used in the various embodiments of the present invention, including Amphora, Anabaena, Anikstrodesmis, Botryococcus, Chaetoceros, Chlorella, Chlorococcum, Cyclotella, Cylindrotheca, Dunaliella, Emiliania, Euglena, Glossomastix, Haematococcus, Isochrysis, Monochrysis, Monoraphidium, Nannochloris, Nannochloropsis, Navicula, Nephrochloris, Nephroselmis, Nitzschia, Nodularia, Nostoc, Oochromonas, Oocystis, Oscillatoria, Pavlova, Phaeodactylum, Picochloris, Platymonas, Pleurochrysis, Porphyra, Pseudoanabaena, Pyramimonas, Scenedesmus, Stichococcus, Synechococcus, Synechocystis, Tetraselmis, Thalassiosira, and Trichodesmium.

FIG. 2 shows an actual fatty acid (in ethyl ester form) profile for an exemplary total algal oil composition that was produced and analyzed by the present inventors. As illustrated by FIG. 2, exemplary total algal oil compositions may comprise by total weight at least 30% EPA, at least approximately 27% palmitoleic acid, at least approximately 23% palmitic acid, less than approximately 10% ARA, and substantially no DHA. Other exemplary total algal oil compositions may comprise by total weight at least approximately 20% EPA and one or more of at least approximately 17% POA, at least approximately 13% PA, less than approximately 10% ARA, and substantially no DHA.

Additionally, the various algal oil compositions provided herein may further be in ethyl ester form. Such ethyl esters are derived by reacting free fatty acids with ethanol. Called esterification, the resulting ethyl ester allows for the fractional distillation (concentration) of the long chain fatty acids at lower temperatures. This step allows for the selective concentration of the fatty acids to levels greater than found in nature.

The ethyl ester forms of the various exemplary algal oil compositions provided herein may be converted to a triglyceride form by performing an enzymatic reaction with the ethyl ester form in the presence of glycerol, heating under a vacuum, and filtering out the enzymes. Per some exemplary methods, immobilized lipase enzymes such as that isolated from Candida antarctica and/or commercially sold by Novozyme or Sigma Aldrich may be used.

While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of a preferred embodiment should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A total algal oil composition comprising by total weight at least 20% EPA, at least 17% POA, approximately 0% to 20% saturated fats, less than approximately 10% ARA, and substantially no DHA.
 2. A total algal oil composition comprising by total weight at least approximately 20% EPA.
 3. The total algal oil composition of claim 2, further comprising by total weight at least approximately 17% POA.
 4. The total algal oil composition of claim 2, further comprising at least approximately 0% to 20% saturated fats.
 5. The total algal oil composition of claim 2, further comprising less than approximately 10% ARA.
 6. The total algal oil composition of claim 2, further comprising substantially no DHA.
 7. The total algal oil composition of claim 2, further comprising substantially no algal saturated fats.
 8. A total algal oil composition comprising by total weight at least approximately 30% EPA, at least approximately 27% POA, 0% to 20% saturated fats, less than approximately 10% ARA, and substantially no DHA.
 9. A total algal oil composition comprising by total weight at least approximately 30% EPA, at least approximately 27% POA, and 0% to 20% saturated fats.
 10. The total algal oil composition of claim 9, further comprising less than approximately 10% ARA.
 11. The total algal oil composition of claim 10, further comprising substantially no DHA.
 12. The total algal oil composition of claim 1, as processed from an algal biomass composition comprising approximately 10% lipids, at least approximately 15% carbohydrates, a at least approximately 25% protein, at least approximately 3% moisture and at least approximately 5% ash.
 13. The total algal oil composition of claim 8, as processed from an algal biomass composition comprising at least approximately 10% lipids, at least approximately 15% carbohydrates, at least approximately 25% protein, at least approximately 3% moisture and at least approximately 5% ash.
 14. The total algal oil composition of claim 9, as processed from an algal biomass composition comprising at least approximately 10% lipids, at least approximately 15% carbohydrates, at least approximately 25% protein, at least approximately 3% moisture and at least approximately 5% ash.
 15. The algal biomass of claim 12 as produced by algae.
 16. The algal biomass of claim 13 as produced by algae.
 17. The algal biomass of claim 14 as produced by algae.
 18. The algal biomass of claim 15 as produced by algae genus Nannochloropsis.
 19. The algal biomass of claim 16 as produced by algal genus Nannochloropsis.
 20. The algal biomass of claim 17 as produced by algal genus Nannochloropsis.
 21. The total algal fatty acid composition of claim 1, wherein the composition is in a form of an ethyl ester (EE), a mono, di- or triacylglycerol (MAG, DAG, TAG), a phospholipid (PL), a galactolipid (GL), free fatty acid (FFA), or a sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerol (SQDG).
 22. The total algal fatty acid composition of claim 8, wherein the composition is in a form of an ethyl ester (EE), a mono, di- or triacylglycerol (MAG, DAG, TAG), a phospholipid (PL), a galactolipid (GL), free fatty acid (FFA), or a sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerol (SQDG).
 23. The total algal fatty acid composition of claim 9, wherein the composition is in a form of an ethyl ester (EE), a mono, di- or triacylglycerol (MAG, DAG, TAG), a phospholipid (PL), a galactolipid (GL), free fatty acid (FFA), or a sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerol (SQDG). 